The number of suspect terrorists arrested by police has dropped 20% in the last year, figures show.

There were 259 people detained for terrorism-related activity in the year ending September 30, compared with the 325 arrests in the same period in 2018, according to the Home Office.

Of these, 96 (37%) were released on bail or released under investigation – meaning they were not subjected to any restrictions while enquiries into the offences continued.

There were 88 (34%) charged and 62 of these were for terrorism-related offences.

A further 14 (5%) received a caution, were recalled to prison or handed over to immigration authorities and 60 suspects (23%) were released without charge.

During the same period 53 terrorists were released from prison, the data report showed.

The news comes less than a week after the London Bridge terror attack which claimed the lives of Saskia Jones and Jack Merritt.

Convicted terrorist Usman Khan embarked on a killing spree while attending a prisoner rehabilitation programme at Fishmongers’ Hall last Friday afternoon.

The 28-year-old, armed with two knives and wearing a fake suicide vest, was tackled by members of the public, including ex-offenders from the conference, before he was shot dead by police.

A second man has been charged with terrorism offences after a pair were arrested in south-west London.

Ayub Nurhussein, 28, was charged on Friday with funding terrorism and possessing a document containing information likely to be useful to a terrorist, Scotland Yard said.

He is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Saturday.

On Thursday, Farah Ahmed, 42, was charged with having a document containing information likely to be useful to a terrorist and disseminating terrorist material.

He was remanded in custody after appearing before magistrates and is due at the Old Bailey on August 16, the Metropolitan Police said.

Both men, of south-west London, were arrested at a house on July 16 and detained under the Terrorism Act.